Books

Sandman
The Running Woman
Falling Angels
Freezing
Mannequin
Crime of Silence
Breath, Eyes, Memory
White Sky, Black Ice
Lie in the Dark
Informer
Salamander
Mayhem
Murder in the Marais (Aimee Leduc Investigation)
Freezing
The Vault
The Last Detective
The Unquiet Night
Hush, It's a Game
The Reaper
Rough Cider (Soho Crime)
Deceit
Hush, It's a Game
Death by Demonstration
Property of Blood (Marshal Guarnaccia Investigation (Paperback))
Some Bitter Taste (Marshal Guarnaccia Investigation (Hardcover))

Average customer rating:

Great Value for a masterpiece
classic
Brilliant
This is a masterpiece!
What you need to Know

The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover Comic

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ASIN: 1401210821

Book Description

THE SANDMAN, written by New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, was the most acclaimed comic book title of the 1990s. A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, THE SANDMAN is also widely considered one of the most original and artistically ambitious series of the modern age. By the time it concluded in 1996, it had made significant contributions to the artistic maturity of comic books and become a pop culture phenomenon in its own right.

Now, DC Comics is proud to present this comics classic in an all-new Absolute Edition format. The first of four beautifully designed slipcased volumes, THE ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 1 collects issues 1-20 of The Sandman and features completely new coloring, approved by the author, on the first 18 issues, as well as a host of never-before-seen extra material, including the complete original Sandman Proposal, a gallery of character designs from Gaiman and the artists who originated the look of the Sandman, and the original script to the World Fantasy Award-winning THE SANDMAN #19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," together with reproductions of the issue's original pencils by Charles Vess. Also included are a new introduction by DC's president Paul Levitz and a new afterword by Gaiman.

Customer Reviews:

Great Value for a masterpiece.......2007-05-09

This is what The Sandman deserved, a great edition in many ways. The cover is superb and the protective case too. At first I thought it was an expensive item, but now that I have it in my hands, I can see everything has been designed with an exquisite taste.
If you have read the series, you'll enjoy having it in this format. And if you don't know anything about The Sandman, please don't waste your time and read it!

classic .......2007-05-08

Amazing what more can i say till you have seen it. If you buy it you will enjoy it.

Brilliant.......2007-04-02

An absolutely gorgeous treatment of a brilliant series. I can't wait for the future volumes to make their appearances. I'm disappointed that Amazon once sold this volume at a discount and has now decided to charge full fare for it. Look around and you'll be able to save some serious bucks.

This is a masterpiece!.......2007-02-15

I have been reading Neil Gaiman's works for more than a decade now, and have the original Sandman comics. However, they were suffering a bit of wear and tear, and so when I saw this set for sale, I had to purchase it! It comes in a beautiful leather like slipcase, and I was lucky as I bought it a discounted rate which was value for money given the amazing set that this is. It is quite hefty, but a beautiful work of art, and a collector's dream come true. Highly recommended!

What you need to Know.......2007-01-27

"Oversize. The first of four slipcased volumes. Collects issues 1-20 of the comic series, with completely new, author-approved coloring of issues 1-18 (issues 19 and 20 were fine already, says Neil). Art by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Steve Parkhouse, Kelley Jones, Charles Vess, and Colleen Doran. Includes a host of never before seen material, including the complete original Sandman proposal, a gallery of character designs from Gaiman and the artists who originated the look of the Sandman, and the original script for the World Fantasy Award-winning issue 19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", together with reproductions of the issue's original pencils by Charles Vess. Plus a new introduction by Paul Levitz, and an afterword by Neil."

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

Average customer rating:

Not the best of sandman but better than the rest
Start of a wonderful voyage
Sandman Gives sweet dreams
A Slow Start to Comics' Greatest Series...
The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House
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ASIN: 1563890119

Amazon.com

"Wake up, sir. We're here." It's a simple enough opening line--although not many would have guessed back in 1991 that this would lead to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comics of the second half of the century.

In Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman weaves the story of a man interested in capturing the physical manifestation of Death but who instead captures the King of Dreams. By Gaiman's own admission there's a lot in this first collection that is awkward and ungainly--which is not to say there are not frequent moments of greatness here. The chapter "24 Hours" is worth the price of the book alone; it stands as one of the most chilling examples of horror in comics. And let's not underestimate Gaiman's achievement of personifying Death as a perky, overly cheery, cute goth girl! All in all, I greatly prefer the roguish breaking of new ground in this book to the often dull precision of the concluding volumes of the Sandman series. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

Not the best of sandman but better than the rest.......2007-05-27

This is not the best title in the sandman series (I am a fan of three and four) but when compared to other comics and TPB's it really stands out. The last chapter is must read for the series, introducing the character of death..buy this book!

Start of a wonderful voyage.......2007-05-21

Many of you out there, who have grown with comic-books, remember "good ol' days" of linear storytelling and straight-forward art, without much complications. All it mattered was, whether the hero will save the world (and almost always he would), and will he get the girl in the end (well, this one was a bit unpredictable). But then some day, we woke up, and found things changed. There were no conventional heroes anymore. Stories needed great ammount of knowledge that you had to acquire sometimes earlier. If ou didn't, you would find yourself forever lagging behind, whilst comic book universes moved with great spead to some distant and unkonwn future.

And this was good.

Finally, something happened, that pulled comics from pulp-fiction and five cents fun that lasted for one afternoon, destined to be never looked upon again. Or is it that we just grew up? I cannot tell for sure, and I doubt that any of you can. But, new form of art emerged and we had to deal with that.

Now, that being said, if you are new to world of comic books, Sandman series isn't the one you should begin with. It's complexity, strange perspectives and editing of slides tends to divert people that throw a casual glance on printed papers. When you see something that shows itself as total chaos, somehow you doub't the whole "artistic value".

To really enjoy Sandman, you'll have to be able to drown yourself into a world so utterly stragne but yet so close to this one in which our lives are lead. You'll have to use your head and imagination (and finally, the knowledge) to fill in the gaps in storytelling that are left unfilled on purpose. This can be tiresome to someone not used to (or used to much) to conventional storytelling in comic books. But, that trouble is worth it's gains.

So if you are still interested, you'll be entering the world of Dream, world of Morpheus which suffered destruction and needs rebuilding... And just when you get yourself hooked on story and characters, book will be finished (with the apperance of Death) and you'll find yourself wanting more...

And, as they said somewhere before - "resistance is futile"

Sandman Gives sweet dreams.......2007-03-29

Truly Neil Gaiman is the best story teller of our age! His characters are diverse and enigmatic with more history to them than you will ever read. Preludes and Nocturnes is the most amazing gateway into the world of sandman you could wish to have. Beautiful!

A Slow Start to Comics' Greatest Series..........2007-03-20

That doesn't mean that this is a bad book. It's good, but compared to the stories that Gaiman and company would come up with later on down the road, well, let's just say that it might suffer by comparison. I didn't start off the series with this. If you do, you might quit (but then again, you might not). I started off with the story collections first (Dream Country, Fables and Reflections and World's End), then I proceeded onto the longer storylines. If you are strictly into reading it in chronological fashion, that's your choice. The beauty of the entire series is that you don't HAVE to read them in order (excepting volumes 9 and 10, you have to finish the series with those). Beyond that, think of it as a giant playground for the reader to wander and enjoy.

Lastly, the final story, the stand alone, "The Sound of Her Wings," introduces us to Dream's unforgettable sister, Death. It's the story Gaiman himself said where he "found" his voice for the series and reading it, it's hard to disagree. It's the best story of this volume and fully worth the price of the book alone.

Still, not the ideal intro, but eventually it becomes essential part of the Sandman story arc.

The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes.......2007-01-23

Well, this wasn't the first "Sandman" volume I had read, although I should've (the first one I read was "Season of Mists" or volume 4). Of course it's important, since it establishes Dream as the protagonist and all that, but it's not my favorite.

Personally, the artwork is iffy and is not my thing (Dream looks oooold). The stories are entertaining and well thought out, but a bit too jumpy (this is because Gaiman was experimenting with styles at the time). The later volumes are much more cohesive and, I think, of better quality.

Still, any fan of the series needs the first volume, especially because in "The Sandman" the story comes full circle at the end, and skipping almost any part of it would leave you hanging.

And it's still a good read, regardless of art or style or whatever :)

Average customer rating:

Exellent
I think I saw Martin Tenbones on the streets yesterday...
I like it a lot, but I'm not sure I get it
One of the best installments of an amazing series!
A Little Different Than the Rest (But No Worse For It)

The Sandman Vol. 5: A Game of You
Neil Gaiman , and Bryan Talbot
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections
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ASIN: 1563890895

Amazon.com

You may have heard somewhere that Neil Gaiman's Sandman series consisted of cool, hip, edgy, smart comic books. And you may have thought, "What the hell does that mean?" Enter A Game of You to confound the issue even more, while at the same time standing as a fine example of such a description. This is not an easy book. The characters are dense and unique, while their observations are, as always with Gaiman, refreshingly familiar. Then there's the plot, which grinds along like a coffee mill, in the process breaking down the two worlds of this series, that of the dream and that of the dreamer. Gaiman pushes these worlds to their very extremes--one is a fantasy world with talking animals, a missing princess, and a mysterious villain called the Cuckoo; the other is an urban microcosm inhabited by a drag queen, a punk lesbian couple, and a New York doll named Barbie. In almost every way this book sits at 180 degrees from the earlier four volumes of the Sandman series--although the less it seems to belong to the series, the more it shows its heart. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

Exellent.......2007-02-16

Gaiman's earlier work with the characters of the Sandman Universe is very good, and the later books continue the trend. I would recommend this to any fan of the earlier books.
For those unfamiliar with the series, I would suggest starting at Volume 1, "Preludes and Nocturnes", which sets up the premise of the series and introduces many of the characters.

I think I saw Martin Tenbones on the streets yesterday..........2006-11-11

Like a huge boulder that cannot be stopped, Gaiman continues to plow through the journeys of the characters we first were introduced to in the spellbinding introduction entitled "Preludes and Nocturnes" with his fifth collection aptly titled "A Game of You". Like no other artist that I have seen in the past, Gaiman impresses yet again by taking a smaller character from his "Doll House" collection and expanding darkly into her dreams and past. That small character is Barbie - of Ken & Barbie - and the elaboration of her fantasy dream world that includes large hairy beasts, an inspector rat, a bird, as well as a monkey with a circus suit. It sounds nearly dream-like, but what Gaiman does (like no other) is give these characters moments of emotion, human traits, and a drive to see what they believe in succeed. Gaiman takes us from our physical Earth to this dream-created world with comfort and ease, nearly making us more excited to be in this fictional world than in our own. He does this through sympathetic creatures/characters, through the unknown, and through the unhinging power of Dream.

Our story follows Barbie as she attempts to reconnect with her world after her relationship with Ken soured. She has made a few friends in her apartment - one a transvestite named Wanda, a gay couple named Hazel and Foxglove that harbor a surprising secret, then there is Thessaly, an unknown neighbor that seems to know more of what is happening then the rest of our players. None the less, as it seems to be in this series, a character from Barbie's dreams escapes onto the streets of New York. Barbie sees it, realizes it, and retrieves a pendant from it before it is gunned down by the NYPD. She is struck by the idea that her dreams could become a reality. She takes the pendant home with her and deeply falls asleep only to awaken back in her dream world where she is asked to save it from the evil grip of the Cuckoo.

(Now, for the quick - quick - quick version...)

As she makes this journey with her supposed friends, Thessaly sets into motion a way to retrieve her from the lost dream world. She kills a neighbor George (who was oddly giving everyone nightmares in the apartment) and hangs the skin of his face on the wall so that he can talk to the saviors about what is happening to Barbie. Thessaly calls down the Moon God so that she, Hazel, and Fox can travel to Barbie's dream world to save her. Barbie finds the Cuckoo, but it is not who she expects it to be. Due to traveling, Thessaly has disrupted the physical Earth causing peril to Wanda - and just when we think that all is going to be lost, our heroine Dream takes his powerful step forward, wrapping up a phenomenal story that continues to build upon the world we still know little about.

This is another great collection by Gaiman in the expansion of his Dream world. I enjoyed the inception of a character that we already knew about, that we already knew her dreams, and Gaiman just wanted to grow upon it to demonstrate the overall power and depth of Dream. In a prior review, I was upset that we didn't have the opportunity to see much of Dream in a certain collection which ultimately created animosity with this avid reader, but in "A Game of You", I didn't mind. I liked not having Dream arrive until it was absolutely necessary because (unlike the past collection) there was this sense of fantasy that kept your attention throughout the book. The actions of Thessaly, the arrival of Martin Tenbones on the streets of NY, and the entirely creepy, yet bizarre world that Barbie enters that reminded me of a slanted Narnia. Gaiman gave us enough to wrap our minds around that Dream just seemed to be a mediator instead of a main character, and in this collection that worked. The eclectic collection of "real" people kept a strong balance between the realities that Barbie lived in and the dream world she created, it is only when the two combine together that we are provided with a climax like no other. While the other collections followed a similar path, I felt this one was Gaiman's strongest developed story yet. I say this mainly because he takes a similar structure as he did in "Seasons of Mists" - the onslaught of several different characters from several different walks of life - but expands it in a way that only he can develop. Gaiman is at the top of his game with this volume, and I cannot wait to see where he will take us next.

Overall, I was extremely happy with this collection. Yet again, I have no complaints as Gaiman does not seem to be slowing down at all. He brings imagination, creativity, and this layer of unrepentant darkness to the table with each page that I turn. I especially loved the insertion of Rose Walker into the finale of the story as well as seeing Dream's sister make a cameo appearance. This collection blended well, giving us yet another scope of just how big Dream's world is and how easily he has control over it. This is one of those collections that you finish, take a deep breath, and then quickly jump into the next realizing that you do not want to skip a beat at all. I strongly suggest this book to anyone that can get their hands on it. I still say you need to begin with "Preludes and Nocturnes" and follow the course, but one could read this chapter and still become an instant fan of the series. Gaiman proves yet again that this is the pinnacle of his graphic novel career.

Grade: ***** out of *****

I like it a lot, but I'm not sure I get it.......2006-02-21

I did like this book. I really have enjoyed all the Sandman books so far. But as much as it galls me to admit it, I'm not sure I understand quite what the big deal is. I keep hearing about and reading about how fabulous they are. And yeah, they're interesting. It's an interesting world that Gaiman has created and I think the character of the Sandman is intriguing/fascinating. And the Sandman is good-looking in some of the panels. But I don't understand what about these novels/comics draws people in so much. I don't understand why the Midsummer Night's Dream one won that prestigious award which ticked the other authors off so they had to change the rules to specifically exclude a graphic novel from being entered ever again. I don't understand why this series is supposed to grab women readers in a way that other comic/graphic novel offerings haven't. It's a bit like David Bowie music, to me. I like it a lot. But partly, that's because I Want to like it. I think it (the music, or the graphic novel) is really weird and I don't understand why everybody else, with no inner urging, likes it so much. And then I read the preface to this book and the guy talks about all these layers and all this depth that I guess I'm really just not getting at all. Which also bugs me because I like to think that I'm smart. But, granted, I've only read it one time and that kind of stuff does usually become more apparent with multiple readings.

One of the best installments of an amazing series!.......2005-11-15

This installment of The Sandman series was probably one of my favorite filled with many psychological implications as well as beautiful artwork which will dazzle your brain! The stories found within this book are some of the greatest in the series as well, especially the one featuring Thessaly and the "princess." The source for many Sandman quotations, this installment is one of the best!

A Little Different Than the Rest (But No Worse For It).......2005-10-25

Of the Sandman collection that I've read, this is the least like any of the others thus far. Instead of being vignettes (either independent or loosely tied) that revolve around Morpheus, lord of dreams, this is a start-to-finish story of a group of women trying to rescue their friend who is trapped in her dreamworld, and threatened by a malevolent force.

Morpheus shows up late and doesn't have much to do, really. But it's okay, because this work stands on its own legs, working as a great story, social commentary, etc. It's marvelous. I especially loved Thessaly--a small, spectacled woman who doesn't take flack from anyone.

With this series, it's always recommended to start with the first volume and work your way up--especially so here, as the main character of this volume is introduced (as a minor character) in an earlier volume. But if you are compelled to start here for some reason, it will work out and make you a believer. Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller, and this is a masterpiece.

Average customer rating:

Love it!
...nothing like a doll at all...
Finding His Place
Something unique
Wow...you will be stunned

The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House
Neil Gaiman , Malcolm Jones III , Mike Dringenberg , Michael Zulli , and Clive Barker
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country
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ASIN: 0930289595

Amazon.com

The immense popularity of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is due in large part to the development of his characters. In The Doll's House, the second book of the Sandman magnum opus, Gaiman continues to build the foundation for the larger story, introducing us to more of the Dream King's family of the Endless.

The Sandman returns to his kingdom of the Dreaming after nearly a century of imprisonment, finding several things out of place; most importantly, an anomaly called a dream vortex has manifested itself in the form of a young girl who unknowingly threatens to rip apart the Dreaming. And there's the smaller matter of a few nightmares having escaped. Among them is Gaiman's creepiest creation: the Corinthian, a serial killer with a miniature set of teeth in each eye socket. Because later volumes concentrate so much on human relationships with Gaiman's signature fair for fantasy and mythology, it is sometimes easy to forget that the Sandman series started out as a horror comic. This book grabs you and doesn't let you forget that so easily. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

Love it!.......2007-03-31

Neil Gaiman has an amazing imagination. I love all of his books that I have read so far. American Gods, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, and now the Sandman series. Fabulous! The creativity and beautiful visuals never cease to amaze me.

...nothing like a doll at all..........2006-10-02

What I particularly enjoy about Neil Gaiman is his ability to build a story from the foundation going forward. So many times, we have authors or illustrators that take the campy way out by using flashbacks, amateurish jumps, or just plain forgetfulness as they attempt to keep the reader's attention by quickly arriving to the climax or resolution (or better yet the gasp of a twist ending). Gaiman does no such thing with his "Sandman" stories. While this second collection of his graphic novels doesn't quite match to the standard of "Preludes & Nocturnes", it is because it is a building block for future stories. What I especially love about Gaiman's writing and choice of stories is that he is not afraid to take us away from our comfortable characters and begin planting the seed for more interesting events going forward. It is like the television series "Lost", events happen for a reason, and Gaiman is very willing to dedicate just as much time to those smaller stories as he does our overall story because he knows the value of amazing (and concise) storytelling. I love this series, but this collection "A Doll's House" is a sampling of smaller stories that will obviously be used as bigger events in the future.

Those that drooled over the first collection (as I surely did), may be in for a bit of a shock with this one because he isn't using pop culture techniques as he did with the opening, he is instead building his characters. Gaiman pulls you into this chapter with an opening that transcends time. He uses simple natives to tell an ageless story that builds the foundation for this story. He frames it well, and then pushes us deep into the constantly changing world of Rose Walker. We follow Rose through a majority of this story as she is re-introduced to her life. She has powers she is unaware of, and guardians that her in place to protect her. Gaiman is not afraid to get dirty and gritty with this story. He takes us to a "Cereal" convention, where all darkness confines itself to one hotel. He demonstrates the emotional level of his title character by giving him a lifelong friend Hob Gadling. He even gives us some sibling rivalry with a shocking ending that begins to set the stage for future family squabbles.

This is second collection is meaty, because if you are not reading it as future possibilities, then you may see this collection as nothing more than jumpy tangents. When I first read it, I was utterly disappointed because I had trouble following the path Gaiman was building. I walked into this one expecting the same from the first collection, but it was completely different. Again, at first I was not as rejoiced, but as I read it a second time, it clicked in my mind. I saw the full circle that Gaiman was headed; I saw his clues set early in the book, and I was able to see the path much clearer. This collection will push those that really want to be engulfed with the Sandman world deeper into the rabbit hole, or it will push those casual readers further away. I had to read this twice to see the brilliance behind Gaiman's words and world, but it was well worth it. I cannot wait to see where we are guided next.

Overall, I am giving this book one star less not because the quality was anything less, but merely because Gaiman did change direction on us rather quickly, but by my second reading it worked. I loved the ties into the first book and the hints of future conflicts. A question I have running through my mind is, "Is this book better or worse than the first collection?" After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that neither are better or worse, but both stand on their own. Gaiman doesn't pull as much from the DC world (like hints of the JLA or John Constantine), but I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it were just a rehash of the first book. I liked this book because it challenges you more than the first. The artwork is brilliant, the stories are far superior than anything I have read before, and it is one of those graphic novels that pulls both your emotions, or eyes, as well as your mind, and that is a difficult combination to find out there. I highly suggest this book to those that are eager to see where "the Sandman" is headed next, but beware, this is a foundation book, and what it builds for next will leave you chomping at the bits!

Grade: **** out of *****

Finding His Place.......2006-07-01

Following a decent beginning Neil Gaiman truly shines in this second volume of his acclaimed series, The Sandman. Taking the second incarnation of the Sandman (who he completely reformed for the series), Gaiman spins a story seamlessly around his first volume and introduces elements that will affect the title the remainder of it's 75 issues. Even bringing in William Shakespeare in one issue, Gaiman uses elements of fact and fairy tale along with some of our worst fears to write an extraordinary story.

Something unique.......2006-06-27

Sandman even after being written 10+ years ago is still as clever and dark as it was then. Showcasing Neil Gaiman's fantastic writing and complex plot threads, scary and wonderous at the same time Vol. 2 is the first time we actually start to see what Gaiman is truly capable of. I highly recommend to anyone who loves horror and fantasy.

Wow...you will be stunned.......2006-04-02

In the second volume of the Sandman saga, Gaiman's work earns his first A+. Rich in plot, unexpected humor, and storylines that stretch back to Preludes & Nocturnes...The Doll's House demands immediate re-reading. Nothing is exactly what you expect, and you will experience horror, disgust, enlightenment, and even genuine laughs. On top of all that, more threads for future chapters are spun. This is a great read, and a must for Sandman fans.

Average customer rating:

Gaiman at his best
A turning point in the Sandman saga.
I walked in Destiny's Garden...
Angels, Demons, and School Bullies
Oh, My--What Fun!

The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists
Neil Gaiman , Neil Gaiman , Kelley Jones , Harlan Ellison , and Mike Dringenberg
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Sandman | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country
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ASIN: 1563890410

Amazon.com

In many ways, Season of Mists is the pinnacle of the Sandman experience. After a brief intermission of four short stories (collected as Dream Country) Gaiman continued the story of the Dream King that he began in the first two volumes. Here in volume 4, we find out about the rest of Dream's Endless family (Desire, Despair, Destiny, Delirium, Death, and a seventh missing sibling). We find out the story behind Nada, Dream's first love, whom we met only in passing during Dream's visit to hell in the first book. When Dream goes back to hell to resolve unfinished business with Nada, he finds her missing along with all of the other dead souls. The answer to this mystery lies in Lucifer's most uncharacteristic decision--a delicious surprise.

There is something grandiose about this story, in which each chapter ends with such suspense and drive to read the next. This book is best summed up by a toast taken from the second chapter: "To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due." --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

Gaiman at his best.......2007-04-02

For a short read, each episode is superbly written. Gaiman is the best of his genre.

A turning point in the Sandman saga........2007-01-16

After reading all of the Sandman collections, "Season of Mists" is with out a doubt my favorite.(it's also the first one I read) "Season of Mists" begins with a family meeting between Sandman's family "The Endless". During this meeting Sandman's older brother, Destiny announces that he has recently been visited by the fates. He says that the fates told him that "Something IMPORTANT will happen. Something that sparks a chain of events, causing much change and upheaval" Sandman's sister death then asks "And what is that occasion?" Destiny simply answers "THIS meeting that is all. The rest is up to you" After these statements Destiny's prophecy quickly unfolds when the family sits down to dinner. Sandman's sister, Desire attacks Sandman by opening an old personal wound, his past love life. If you read the books prior to "Season" you'll discover that Sandman sentenced is old flame, Nada (a formed African queen) to the tourments of hell because she refused to give up her mortal life to be his queen. Insulted by Destiny, Sandman storms off to sulk outside on the balcony. Death later comes out to give Sandman a royal tongue lashing (one of her shinning moments in the seires)and tells him that what he did to Nada was selfish and wrong. Sandman soon realizes that is big sister is right and he sets off to free his former love. Sandman and Lucifer(the lord of hell) have some bad blood(established in prior chapters) and when Lucifer is informed that Sandman is comming to his realm, he says that it is a day that they will both remember. When Sandman arrives in hell he is surpized to find the place empty. Lucifer soon greets Sandman to tell him that he has quit his job, let every soul free, and has decided to give the key for the gates to Sandman. This is where the true conflict of 'Seaons" starts. What is Sandman to do with this new realm? and with all of hell's souls now free, Where is Nada? Sandman soon finds that his troubles have only begun when gods and godesses of new and old flood his realm to lobby for posession of the key to hell. Who will Sandman choose and how will he save Nada when a powerful demon holds her for ransom? "Seasons of Mists" is the best written and most exciting chapter in the Sandman collection and one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. If you're a Sandman fan you MUST read this book. read it!

I walked in Destiny's Garden..........2006-11-05

Highly disappointed with "Dream Country", I found myself a bit hesitant about opening the pages to this next chapter in possibly the most imaginative fictional character ever created. "Preludes & Nocturnes" made me salivate for more of Gaiman's creation, while "The Doll's House" set the foundation for future stories and possible interludes, but when it came to "Dream Country" I found myself taking several huge steps back. It followed a different beat, the characters were nowhere to be seen, and it felt like a colorful collection of short, un-compelling stories. I was hurt, and it took me quite a bit of time to open Gaiman's next chapter, but not to worry, my fears ended as I started to read the first few frames ... Gaiman was back, and no door was going to be closed for this next collection entitled, "Season of Mists"!

Gaiman has this unique ability to bring worlds of near non-parallel existence together in a way that we could never imagine. His darkness is back from the opening page when we meet one of his brothers - Destiny. What is great about this opening is that fans of Gaiman's previous chapters will instantly have satisfaction in knowing that the cold spell known as "Dream Country" is over, and we are pulled back into Dream's world. Gaiman re-introduces us to our heroine through his family, by introducing us to his sisters and brothers. While we do not know the purpose of the meeting, we see how the family (perhaps not unlike your own family) interact and co-exist. Like a glass of aged wine, the story progresses with comfort and ease, with Gaiman never quite giving us answers only leading us further down his darkened road. We see humility with our Master of Sleep, Sandman, when he is reminded of a past love that he sentenced to Hell ten thousand years ago. He wants her back, and due to the meeting (thanks to Destiny), he decides to get her back. Nearly reminiscent of "Preludes & Nocturnes", we head back to Hell, but this time, Lucifer himself has a trick up his sleeve.

Lucifer presents Sandman with the ultimate gift, the Keys of Hell, and it will be his decision on what to do with the "gift". What creates the meaty center of this epic tale are what choices the Sandman is presented with by each one of the possible suitors looking to inherit the keys to the almighty Kingdom. Gaiman intricately weaves different Gods from different myths and stories to give us such a vast universe of truths and legend. Gaiman grows the small world we began with into something extraordinary, a world with more open doors than one could ever imagine. We, the readers, are given hints towards the future, as to the strange occurrence of Dream's missing brother, the troubled love between him and Nada, as well as the angels that are determined to change Hell. Loki is even traded for a favor that I am sure Gaiman will explore later.

"Season of Mists" rebirths the excitement that was originally developed in the first two collections that introduced us to Dream. These stories are dark, disturbing, challenging, and utterly fantastical. There is an amazing blend (of which only Gaiman could create) of imagination, creativity, fantasy, and honesty within these stories that immediately pulled this skeptical reader back from the "Dream Country" void. The images are crisp, vibrant, and completely within the realm of this series - for those that couldn't enjoy "Dream Country", "Season of Mists" will bring you back to the world that you loved. Gaiman and his collection of illustrators bring us back to the world that we loved and missed with the last collection. The disturbing truth of Hell, the infinite life of Dream's family, as well as the colliding worlds around that all pine for a track of land to call their own. This collection opened a whole new world to the series, demonstrating that there is a world outside of our own that may have magic, but the undertones are very similar to ours. Sibling rivalry coupled with competitive land developers are just a few of the channels that Gaiman bring to us in "Season of Mists".

I haven't mentioned this in my other reviews yet, but I have to with this collection because it became more obvious to me as I read and saw Dream in each of the stories. I am an enormous fan of what Gaiman has chosen to do with this character - he has given Dream a constantly changing face. What I mean is that Gaiman always has new artists creating his work, thus providing us this true feeling of being in a dream where nothing remains the same. I love to see other's thoughts on what Dream may look like, and while we revert back to the "original" form to demonstrate consistency, it is these subtle changes that make these stories more enjoyable each time you turn the page. The Sandman may be only one person, but he wears many eccentric faces.

Overall, for those that felt that Gaiman fell off his stride in "Dream Country", you will not be disappointed with this outing. We go further into the mind of Gaiman to see his demons, his Gods, and his darkly religious undertones. What I loved about this collection is that while there is this idea of religion, Gaiman seems to bring it to us in all different shapes and sizes. There are Gods, but he skittles around the idea of one larger entity. I loved the idea of "Chaos" and "Order", and the shapes that they chose to take. I deeply enjoyed the poetic ending that seemed to bring purpose to it all - it seemed that Destiny did make an impact, even with just one small event. "Season of Mists" easily ranks as my second favorite in this series. While I do believe that there isn't one that could quite match the veracity of "Preludes and Nocturnes", this one comes very close. For anyone that wants to explore the world of Dream, I would use this as a reference due to the humanity of his character in these stories. He has a conflict, and it is how he chooses to deal with the issues that make him purely Gaiman. I was impressed from page one!

Grade: ***** out of *****

Angels, Demons, and School Bullies.......2006-01-30

Guard your nipples against the corpse-ified bullies of yore: that's what I learned! No, seriously this is an AMAZING book. As if one twist in the middle of the book(after some well-built suspense) wasn't enough to make the story seem grandiose, another twist near the end comes along and makes it epic.

We return to an old character in this volume(which is genius, of course; cliffhangers SUCK!!) and meet a new one. The best thing is, you sympathize with ALL gaiman's characters(even the mischevious ones). And more references to mythology and even art are thrown in, as expected (watch Susano-o-makoto's expressions and poses).

Excellent volume, Mr. Gaiman! I'll get 5 on my next paycheck, but for now I'm working on American Gods!! :)

Oh, My--What Fun!.......2005-10-25

The Sandman is an incredible series on so many levels. If you've not read yet, please do (and please start with the first volume; you'll want to read them all eventually anyway, I guarantee). Some of the tales are deep, some profound, and this collection shares in all of that and at the same time is simply so much fun(!): Satan decides to close Hell down and hit the beach--he gives the keys to Morpheus, lord of dreams, who is then besieged with deities from all the world's pantheons, each of which wants the prime real estate for their own uses. What a premise!

And what execution!

The Sandman is up there with anything else printed in the late 20th Century. Begin reading it today.

Average customer rating:

I dreamed that this volume didn't exist in the series...
An Excellent Introduction to Comics' Greatest Series
A different way to enjoy an excellent series
The best example of contemporary literature
Double filler

The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country
Neil Gaiman , Malcolm Jones III , Charles Vess , and Steve Erickson
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House
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ASIN: 156389016X

Amazon.com

The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. What's remarkable here (considering the publisher and the time that this was originally published) is that the main character of the book--the Sandman, King of Dreams--serves only as a minor character in each of these otherwise unrelated stories. (Actually, he's not even in the last story.) This signaled a couple of important things in the development of what is considered one of the great comics of the second half of the century. First, it marked a distinct move away from the horror genre and into a more fantasy-rich, classical mythology-laden environment. And secondly, it solidly cemented Neil Gaiman as a storyteller. One of the stories here, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," took home the World Fantasy Award for best short story--the first time a comic was given that honor. But for my money, another story in Dream Country has it beat hands down. "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" has such hope, beauty, and good old-fashioned chills that rereading it becomes a welcome pleasure. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

I dreamed that this volume didn't exist in the series..........2006-10-20

When one walks into a movie theater, they expect to see a movie. When one walks into a pizzeria, they expect to be served pizza. When one plays paintball, you should expect to be hit by at least one paintball. So, one could draw the conclusion that when one reads any of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, you should expect to be pulled into a bizarre world where your heroine (or dark figure leading the show) happens to be the actual Sandman ... right? Apparently, the answer is closer towards the "no" theory than one could expect. I understand the concept of building a stage and allowing readers to see the entire universe, and not just one small figure, but that isn't why I purchased this series. I purchased it for the sole reason that I enjoyed the first two in this collective series. I find the character of the Sandman to be one of the greatest literary figures in graphic novels today. His words will entice, his patience will amaze, and his strength will force you to think of Superman as the weakest man alive. The Sandman is intelligence, boldness, and heroics all boiled together into one shaded character. He is the epitome of "cool", if one were to phrase it that way. Yet, why would anyone who loves this series think that without the main character, the central focus of the show, would a series be able to survive? If I had started with this collection, I don't believe I would have gone any further.

I know, I seem to be an odd voice in this collection that seems to have garnered award after award for possibly the dullest story ever dreamed by Gaiman. For those fan boys out there that are drooling over the ingenuity of "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I would say - not rudely - but get over it. Sure, there were moments of fun and inspiration, but for the most part this story seemed to go on longer than needed and gave this avid Sandman reader a chance to catch up on some well deserved rest. I had seen Gaiman twist the story of Shakespeare earlier in one of the early collections (I think it was when the Sandman was talking with his "friend", Hob Gadling), but I didn't think he would dedicate half a collection to the birth of an idea. Again, I am not knocking the creativity of the piece, because I saw the premise well, it just felt overly-dramatic coupled with an overall sense of "blah". It was too much for this reader to enjoy. I wanted the fantastical coupled with sinister, and before you say it, this just didn't have it. Sure, there were creatures, but they did not come anywhere close to what I witnessed in the first two collections. I just missed the tone that Gaiman had captured with his creation in the first two collections; obviously this was a completely different step.

How did I enjoy the other stories? I thought that "A Dream of A Thousand Cats" was decent, but again lacking that panache that lingered from the first two books. "Facades" was utterly fun, but diabolically confusing. Who remembers Element Girl? To me, it just seemed too outdated for the rest of the series. My personal favorite was "Calliope", a truly frightening tale of imagination that reminded me of why I am such a big Gaiman fan. It was dark and spooky all at the same time. It was the epitome of what the Sandman represents, then we are left with nothing more a ramshackle of other stories that don't fit the bill. They were a hit or miss with me, as I have read, it seems to be the case with other Gaiman fans. I wanted, and desperately needed, more Sandman. I wanted my character back. I wanted something to breathe life back into this short collection. For those of you wondering where most of the pages remain, there is a huge development of the "Calliope" story at the end which nearly takes up 20 pages. This was a waste of time and space. Obviously, this was the weakest link pertaining to the series.

Overall, I cannot suggest this book to friends or family. If one asks which collection they should start learning about our heroine, the Sandman, in Gaiman's eyes, I would tell them to stay clear of this collection. Dream Country may be giving us a hit of what is to come, but for me it felt tired, bored, and over inflated. While "Calliope" will pull you in, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will confuse you to the point of insanity, or at least give you a good nights rest. Dream Country was weak, and it is obvious with the fact that there was what I like to call "filler" at the end of the collection. If one doesn't have anything worth saying, don't waste my time. This collection will anger any fans of the series that loved the first two. Read through this one quickly, and get to the next. I promise ... it will only get better from here.

Grade: ** out of *****

An Excellent Introduction to Comics' Greatest Series.......2006-10-17

Let me just say that I have kids. They do things that kids are wont to do; make noise, make messes and generally prevent me from reading, my favorite pleasure. So I made a compromise; I wanted to read, but I couldn't get into a book, then I decided to get back into comics. Needless to say, I am a long time comic reader. Superhero stuff mainly. Characters from the DC universe (Batman is my favorite) and Kurt Busiek's Astro City were pretty much it for me.

But I got restless. I needed a change. Not that I've quit reading about superheroes, but I needed to broaden my outlook.

I've long known about Gaiman's classic Sandman series, but at the time, it just didn't seem interesting to me. But I asked a young woman who worked in a comic book store about it. She praised it and recommended the series. Since I didn't know anything about Morpheus or any of his siblings in the endless, she suggested starting off with Dream Country, in what is the third volume of the series.

To veteran Sandman readers, it's a brief collection of four short stories and the shortest book of the lot. But for the novice, it's a superb introduction to Neil Gaiman's brilliant storytelling and a nice way to ease into his fantastic world. I read the collection in a day. I then got the rest of the series. If you like good stories well told, superb characters you want to feel for and a taste for the different, look no further.

I would recommend Sandman to even the most jaded reader. I'd be genuinely shocked of they weren't won over.

A different way to enjoy an excellent series.......2006-04-02

Neil Gaiman's great strength as a storyteller is how he weaves intricate plotlines into satisfying conclusions, and future setups. So it may seem unusual at first blush, to experience this collection of short Sandman stories instead of Gaiman's long story arcs. Yet, Dream Country invites us to come along on an enjoyable ride, as Gaiman explores his smaller side ideas. More a collection of "what if" supernatural scenarios, than a part of the Sandman saga...it is still very much uniquely Sandman. The stories revolve around the complex character of Morpheus (even when he is removed from center stage)...and Death's tale truly begins once she appears. Dream Country doesn't advance the larger Sandman plot, but even casual readers will still find it satisfying.

The best example of contemporary literature.......2006-02-03

Of all the Sandman books, I'd have to say this is one of my personal favorites. The individual short stories, may not have a lot to do with the overall Sandman storyline but are each emotionally powerful in their own right.

Besides the Shakespearen classic A Mid-Summer Night Dream, I'd had have to say that the best stories are a Dream of a Thousand Cats and Facade. The thousand cats storyline deals with a cat preacher who tries to convince her followers that if a thousand of them would dream of a better life (a life where cats rule humans) then their dreams would come true. While it proves to be a little hokey in concept, the story does have a powerful element of truth in how dreamers change the world.

The story Facade in my mind brings to light the painful truth, of what it is like to be a superhero in modern day society. I thought Alan Moore was good at humanizing his characters but this one really hits home in terms of what it's like to be alienated and alone. In it, Element Girl (A former superhero known as Urania Blackwell) lives a meager existence in a run down apartment building, afraid of going anywhere in public or doing anything. It shows us what it is like to be so different from her fellow human beings that she can no longer exist among them. I praise this story for piercing the naive fantasy children have when dreaming of superheros. Usually they think about how good it would be to jump buildings, to fly and have laser vision. But for Urania this is a nightmare. There are some particularily moving moments in this story, particularly when her former best friend, being unaware of her condition, calls a girl born with no legs a freak. Each night, she dreams of a better life, one where she is normal and very happy only to wake up crying to find out things are not so. This is something everyone can identify with and relate to.

Double filler.......2005-12-29

Others have written enough about the story content, so I just want to add an additional annoyance with this volume: the last 40 pages (out of 160) are just for the script of 'Calliope'. All text. No pictures... The book was already short enough compared to the others. And that script took even more away from it...

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous
A Fitting Finale for A Series of Serious Quality
Lovely.
The conclusion.
"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit."

The Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake
Neil Gaiman , Neil Gaiman , and Mikal Gilmore
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones
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ASIN: 1563892790

Amazon.com

This is the conclusion to the much talked about Sandman series. It may be best to start your Sandman acquaintance with earlier episodes, but The Wake stands as one of Neil Gaiman's strongest and most consistent Sandman volumes to date.

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous.......2006-12-08

The Wake, the final book in the Sandman series, epitomizes the entire series. The artistic style is eclectic and the narrative dances from character to character and setting to setting, just like a dream. The entire book is elusive but satisfying. And gorgeous. For me, that's the series in a nutshell.

The Wake is Gaiman at his best.

A Fitting Finale for A Series of Serious Quality.......2006-08-12

First of all, The Wake is a gorgeous volume. Perhaps the best artwork of the series.

It gives a fitting send-off for Morpheus, and for the series, as we get to revisit characters and themes, with just a touch of humor to lighten the otherwise bleak landscape. (Would you believe that Superman and Batman put in a cameo?--Well, if you're going to write for DC, how can you resist? :)

While there are good stories here, perhaps my one complaint is the placement of the two short stories after the appropriate conclusion of the work (an epilogue featuring everyone's favorite, Hob Gadling). These are good short stories (or, at least, The Tempest is good... the other left me a little cold), but their placement was completely unfair to them and didn't leave me much emotional capacity to appreciate them as they deserved.

The Wake isn't so much a plotted adventure, like so many of the Sandman volumes; it is more of a coda. Like a Wake should be, it is an opportunity for reflection. Sadness and nostalgia and moving on. It is a fitting, and touching end for a series that has been nothing but class and quality, all the way through.

Lovely........2006-03-11

It may not seem like much to say this, but this is one of only two books that has ever made me cry.

The art is beautiful and the language is beautiful. Everything is tied up neatly, and in a way that is easy to see as the end. You want to read more, but at the same time, you realize it would be disrespectful and wrong to demand more story.

The speeches of each of the Endless express the sentiment of the entire series in a not-obvious way that at the same time expresses their personal sentiment and does what it was meant to do.

"That's all."

The conclusion........2006-02-07

(NOTE: this review contains major series spoilers. If you've not read the first nine books in the series and are planning to, skip this review until you have done so.)

Neil Gaiman, Sandman: The Wake (DC Comics, 1999)

Gaiman's epilogue to his long-running and insanely successful Sandman series presents us with the wake of the old Morpheus and the installation of the new. It gets a bit homily-esque at times, but given how long the series has gone on with such power, we can forgive Gaiman a slight bit of sermonizing here. Just think of the series as a long and complex Aesop's fable, and The Wake as a "the moral of the story is...".

There's no real plot to this volume; this is more a case of tying up some loose ends, achieving closure with some characters who had things to resolve, or bringing back a few who didn't show up in The Kindly Ones for our viewing pleasure. While it's not the best book in the series, those who have stuck with it through the thousands of pages that have already come will certainly want to read this one. *** ½

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.".......2005-11-25

I would give it 6 stars if I could.

The closing collection to the Sandman does not disappoint. There is something utterly satisfying about the way the characters come together during the wake. Possibly my favorite moment during the actual wake is when Rose Walker's brother Jeb speaks sees Lyta Hall:

Jeb: Rosie? Is that the one you were telling me about? In LA? Upstairs?

Rosie: Uh-huh.

Jeb: Weird. She and her old man used to live in my head.

Another of my favorite moments is the conversation between Clark Kent, Batman and Martian Manhunter, which shows how careful Gaiman is with the characters he uses. Throughout the wake you see how the characters appear as they see themselves, their self images and here you see Superman, who sees himself as Clark Kent, Batman who sees himself as more creature than man and Martian Manhunter who seems to have settled in into his earth appearance over his true Martian look. Clark's ramblings about his dreams brought a smile to my face as I remembered Red Kryptonite. And the comment about the TV show made me laugh and sympathize with John never having hit it big in the mainstream.

The exploration of the themes of mortality, mourning and moving on is the focus of the volume. From Gilbert's refusal to cheapen his own end, and thus his life, by being brought back to life, to Matthew's grief at the loss of "the boss" and his eventual acceptance and his moving on we come face to face with life and death and what lies beyond. The themes of the series are all explored one last time before the end and before life goes on.

My favorite part of this volume, however is "Sunday Mourning", the wake epilogue featuring Hob Gadling, the man who decided all he needed to do to live forever was just not to die. Gadling remains my favorite character in the whole of the Sandman and this story about moving on and living your life makes me smile every time. The smiles came between the fits of laughter over Hob's reactions to a renaissance fair. Good stuff.

The last two tales seem almost superfluous as you finish Hob's story, I always forget that they have their own wonderful sense of closure. In Exiles we revisit one of the Soft Places where time has little meaning and we learn that perhaps the more things change the more they stay the same, even when they don't, as Del might say. We ponder loss and acceptance and think about the message left to us: "Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost."

The Tempest takes us back to the relationship between Dream and William Shakespeare. It is a great tale about writing and tales, and about family and the life you lead vs. the life you could have lead. A story about your responsibilities, how they define you and sometimes how they consume you, how they destroy you. About leaving the island.

Buy it. Read it. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

A must read
It's going to be a beautiful day...
One of the series' best.
Family Matters
Dream and Delirium go on a roadtrip...

The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives
Neil Gaiman , Jill Thompson , Vince Locke , and Peter Straub
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1563891387

Amazon.com

One might think that the climax of the 10-volume Sandman series would come in the last book, or even the second to last. But indeed the heart and soul of Neil Gaiman's magnum opus lies here in Brief Lives. It could be because one of the most central mysteries--that of the Sandman's missing brother--is revealed here (in fact, the plot of this volume is the search for this member of the Endless). It could be because everything that comes after this volume, however surprising or unexpected, is inevitable. But it's more because this is a story about mortality and loss, the difficulty of change, the purpose of remembering, the purpose of forgetting, and the importance of humanity. If you have wanted to find out what all the good buzz on this great comic book series is about and haven't read any Gaiman before, don't be turned off by this volume's pivotal position in the larger story of the Sandman series. This book might actually operate better as a stand-alone story, in that its depth and compassion are more condensed, pure, and brief. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

A must read.......2007-06-27

Read this series! I read these when they were published as individual comics and revisiting the series has been a joy. Read them in order if at all possilble. I wish Gaiman had the time to write another graphic novel series.

It's going to be a beautiful day..........2006-12-28

Did anyone other than myself get addicted to this series due grossly in part to Gaiman's amazing work with his novel "American Gods"? I thought "American Gods" reminded me of King's phenomenal work with Roland in his gunslinger world - and finally, Gaiman expanded on this work with the next chapter of his Sandman stories in "Brief Lives". It seems that I continually go up then down and further up again with this series, and this is one of those chapters that shot me further up into the sky than imaginable. With a fair swoop of his creative pen, Gaiman brings us family, voyages, and the truth about those pesky little creatures roaming our world known as Gods. They do exist. They roam our world. They were here before the birth of this planet, and finally, Gaiman exposes them to the world. They are merciless, they are wealthy, they are strippers ... they are us. Again, nobody could do it like Gaiman does and he proves it with his greatest heroine creation "the Sandman" and with the series entitled, "Brief Lives".

For the past several episodes, Gaiman has been dropping hints that Sandman had a missing brother that left the family a long time ago, there was sadness, but most were moving away from any sort of emotional scarring. Well, I should say "most", because little sister Delirium cannot seem to forget about her big brother. She wants to find him, and while most of her other siblings turn her away, Sandman jumps in headfirst in hopes that he can eliminate the worries about loosing a woman that he has been with for some time. He needs to shake her feelings, so he travels with his sister to find their brother, Destruction. As they travel, they meet up with old friends, Gods, which assist with their journey. These friends of the family assist with unlimited spending cash, a chauffeured vehicle, and a path towards their final destination. While our travelers decide to stay in the "real world", they learn more about the dying breed of Gods and, my favorite, that Death does not show favoritism.

Just as we prepare ourselves for a two part episode, an unexpected guest (who is actually expecting them) welcomes our travelers into his home, only to share his disappointment with his current state of the world as well as his position. In a rather emotional ending, Gaiman twists his words together to point the finger back at our current society as well as the state of this series. He even takes Sandman closer to his family, and asks him to perform a deed that was unexpected as this journey began. In one quick collection of stories, Gaiman has successfully given us back the power, the force, and the drama that reminded me of how this series began. Since the first collection, I didn't quite see that same emotion until I read "Brief Lives". In a short 150 pages, the raw force of the series was sparked back. The family dynamics, the power of the unknown, and the idea that our world - planet Earth - is just the backdrop to a much larger grandiose story that will constantly boggle our mind and expand our universe - was exactly what made this "Brief Lives" the best collaboration.

Overall, I would like to say that if you read just one collaboration in this series YOU MUST READ "Brief Lives". I fell in love with this entire family all over again this in one short collection. We had a chance to see their lives, their human nature, and their need for each other. I loved being back with Sandman, in which I missed him with the prior collection. He is the star and full supporter of these graphic novels. Gaiman, I believe, realizes this as he receives most of his praise for those in which he blows our minds with simple stories with amazingly sharp characters. There was not one flawed scene in this entire collection. I could - and will - read this again. For those seeking Gaiman's best work, and what makes him stronger than the words that he prints - I would highly suggest "Brief Lives".

There - I have drooled enough. Time to read it again.

Grade: ***** out of *****

One of the series' best........2005-11-30

Neil Gaiman, Sandman: Brief Lives (Vertigo, 1995)

Sandman has had its ups and downs over the years. Brief Lives is very much an up, perhaps second in the series only to Dream Country in its brilliance.

Brief Lives tells the story of Dream and Delirium, off to search for their missing brother Destruction, who abandoned his realm three centuries before. As they search, the people they try to get to help them have a startling habit of ending up dead, leaving Dream to question the wisdom of Delirium's quest.

The book ties up a few minor loose ends from other books in the past, but that's just icing on the cake. Gaiman and co. stick with a simple story here, perhaps the simplest they've yet told in the books, and in doing so they truly allow Gaiman's considerable narrative talents to shine through undiluted. We already know we're going to get good art and great characters. The story's the thing, then, and this one shines. **** ½

Family Matters.......2005-10-25

In Brief Lives, the stories that Gaiman has hinted at throughout most of The Sandman series (of the desertion of one of The Endless; and of Dream's son, Orpheus) come to pass, as Dream and Delirium take a road trip together to try to set things right again.

Though it is perhaps the most resonant volume philosophically, dealing deeply (but not melodramatically) with impermanence and mortality, this is thus far the volume I've enjoyed the least. Everyone has different tastes, after all. And yet it is still marvelous and still fully five stars. If you're a lover of literature (whether or not you like "comics") you owe it to yourself to read this series.

Dream and Delirium go on a roadtrip..........2005-09-29

And what they find is more than they expected. Along the way, we meet several interesting denizens of Gaiman's myth-in-the-modern-world universe, and get different perspectives on the missing member of the Endless family, Destruction.

Jill Thompson's whimisical art style is complimentary to this often poignant story which is ultimately about family.

The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections

Average customer rating:

Gaiman continues to amaze
...and then I realize I am not alone...
Good, as always.
What They'll Read in Classrooms in 30 or so Years
LET HIM COME INTO YOUR DREAMS

The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 5: A Game of You
The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives
The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End
The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists
The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones

ASIN: 1563891050

Customer Reviews:

Gaiman continues to amaze.......2007-03-28

In this handful of only barely connected stories, Gaiman does what he does best, he tells a damn good story. While not furthering any particular storyline, he portrays his fellow man in all his nobility, pettiness, glory, and malice, and all things in between, in ways only Gaiman can.

...and then I realize I am not alone..........2006-11-27

ARG. I hate starting reviews with this word, but I am beginning to question the value of this series as it continually jumps from conscious storytelling to short, uneventful stories that do not involve the infamous Sandman at all. I just finished reading the sixth volume in this series, and my mind is still traveling the ups and downs of the rollercoaster. Not to dissect the rest of the books again, I just want complete storytelling. I want to Gaiman (whom I adore) to develop further the world of Sandman without intermingling these short stories throughout the work. I realize that these stories were written many years ago, but they are still as captivating today as they were in the early 90s, but I just hate the idea of going from a story where the entire structure is built around the Sandman or about a singular group of characters, to this drivel where one story is based off history and the complex stories that we once were familiar with get a new face. "Fables & Reflections" felt like it was trying to be smarter than the reader, and why I think the short stories that Gaiman likes to intermingle between the more developed storyline are his weakest element yet.

The stories themselves could not stand alone, but coupled with the name "Sandman", they seem to garnish some great remarks. Personally, I had trouble with the opening stories, but did begin to find some value in those that concluded the collection. The beginning story about the Emperor of the United States started strong, but by the center and final conflict, I was diminishing. I didn't care about this character and his brief run-ins with famous historical figures. This is exactly why I feel that the collection was trying to be smarter than the reader. Here you have this possibly "mad" character that is telling Mark Twain what he should be doing next ... to me this wasn't striking me as original! Next on the list was the story of the werewolf discovering his true love - again, another ramshackled story that began with some originality, but lost speed as the story progressed. The interruptions by the granddaughter learning about her heritage were annoying and all together not clever at all. Then, we are led, nearly by hand, into my least favorite stories of the series thus far - the destiny of Orpheus. Finally we have the opportunity to see what we all came to see, Sandman's family, but the story is almost a derivative of modern day Soap Operas in that you have this hidden affair, the son that wants nothing to do with his father, and a head that seems to stay alive throughout the ages. I think we can all see this on Tuesday afternoon "story" time, can't we? Thankfully, Gaiman proves to us that he is worth the pages that I bought with two of my favorite stories in this series, the first was "Parliament of Rooks" and the other was the finale entitled, "Ramadan". "Ramadan" seemed to give me goose bumps with the current situation of the world in Baghdad, but really was a powerful story of memories and truthfulness. "Parliament of Rooks" was zany and added yet another nook on the "smarter than the reader" element, but this time it was subtle. I liked the story because it answered a question, its delivery was crisp, and the characters were flamboyant enough to enjoy! Alas, these final two stories could not compete with the disastrous opening.

Overall, I must admit that this is my least favorite collection of the series. It ranks right behind "Dream Country" because I am not a fan of the sub-stories that Gaiman likes to engulf his avid readers with. I would like to clarify, because I wouldn't mind sub-stories involving further the Sandman or his immediate family, but these random ones likes "August" just seem to lessen the pace of the book and create heaviness in the eyes. This was not the type of storytelling that I initially began with this series, and I do not want it to be transformed into it. I found myself on a plane reading this book slowly chanting to myself, "I want Sandman. I want Sandman", but alas, could not find him at all. Gaiman needs to rediscover his roots and bring us back to the character that we all fell in love with in "Preludes & Nocturnes" and perhaps even bring back some old DC villains to make his point even clearer. I love this series, don't get me wrong, but Gaiman knows how to get under my skin with these short stories. While I want to love each one of them, I just find them slow, distracting, and unappealing to the reader that was first involved with Sandman from the beginning. I want to be a part of his world, and while I know these stories represent his world, I just don't need it. It is like eating a big meal hours before Thanksgiving. You have been looking forward to that turkey for weeks, why spoil your meal now?

All I can say is this, and I ask other readers of this series to do the same. I am not complete, and I am about to jump into "Brief Lives", but have cracked the graphic novel with these words on my lips:

"I WANT SANDMAN"

"I WANT SANDMAN"

Grade: *** out of *****

Good, as always........2005-11-16

Neil Gaiman, Sandman: Fables and Reflections (DC Comics, 1999)

Once again, we have a book of nine unconnected short graphic stories that touch on the Sandman in some way. As usual, both the quality of the writing and the art is superb; the whole team was pretty much above reproach by the time they got this far in the series.

The strongest of the stories, "The Hunt," shows both Gaiman and the illustrative team at the peaks of their powers. Thankfully, the majority of the book is of this quality. When it dips ("Fear of Falling," the closest thing to a throwaway piece that's been seen in Sandman's world to date), it does so only briefly, and we get back to the good stuff.

As always, well worth your time. ****

What They'll Read in Classrooms in 30 or so Years.......2005-10-25

Like Dream Country, Fables and Reflections is a series of short stories that involve famous personages who get embroiled in the dreamscape of Morpheus and the Endless. My personal favorites in this collection include two tales of Emperors--Caesar Augustus, of Rome, and Norton I, of America. With the former, we get an interesting suggestion as to why, perhaps, the wholly unsuitable Tiberius was selected as successor to the larger-than-life Octavian, and with the latter we get a touching insight into one of the most colorful and interesting people ever to grace San Francisco (and you know that's saying something!).

Fables and Reflections is excellent. Every volume of The Sandman is excellent. This deserves to be on your bookshelf, and it deserves to be passed down to the next generation. This will be classic literature as soon as the approbation of the future allows it.

LET HIM COME INTO YOUR DREAMS.......2005-01-31

So far I have read 1 to 6 in this series.And each time I have found a connection with my life.Each time I read ,I forget my existence in this world, find myself one of the dreams.Each time I learn something,I remember something,I dream something...
Neil is really good,he combines his knowledge of history,myths,art,language with his imagination so well.I like most of the comics,but this is special ,you can enjoy X-men or Spiderman,but you can never ever compare it with sandman.Let the lord of dreams welcome you.Let him come in to your dreams :)

Average customer rating:

The story continues...
Point of order.... but still a great compilation
...within stories, within stories, within stories...
There is good wine poured in the inn at the end of the world.
Another fantastic Sandman book.

The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End
Neil Gaiman , Neil Gaiman , and Stephen King
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones
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ASIN: 1563891719

Amazon.com

When Brant and Charlene wreck their car in a horrible snowstorm in the middle of nowhere, the only place they can find shelter is a mysterious little inn called World's End. Here they wait out the storm and listen to stories from the many travelers also stuck at this tavern. These tales exemplify Neil Gaiman's gift for storytelling--and his love for the very telling of them. This volume has almost nothing to do with the larger story of the Sandman, except for a brief foreshadowing nod. It's a nice companion to the best Sandman short story collection, Dream Country, (and it's much better than the hodgepodge Fables and Reflections). World's End works best as a collection--it's a story about a story about stories--all wrapped up in a structure that's clever without being cute, and which features an ending nothing short of spectacular. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

The story continues..........2007-06-27

The Saga of Morpheus continues in this Graphic Novel. Gaiman is the best. A co-worker's 18 y.o. son is reading the series and he is blown away.

Point of order.... but still a great compilation.......2007-05-24

From a previous review, the following quote exists:
fans of Gaiman will note that "A Tale of Two Cities" borrows heavily from the essay he wrote for the SIMCITY 2000 game

As a point of accuracy, it's the other way around, The Tale of Two Cities came before the SimCity 2000 Game.

This is still my favorite collection of Sandman Stories. The Sea Witch Story is one I occasionally dream about.

...within stories, within stories, within stories..........2006-08-05

Are Sandman fans such because they love the characters (Dream, Delirium, etc.) or because they love the writings of Neil Gaiman?

I'd imagine that there are both types, and that most of us are somewhere on a continuum in-between.

I mention this, because those of you who are closer to the "love Gaiman" pole, like myself, will doubtless love this collection of short stories, set in the Sandman universe. On the otherhand, those who are closer to the characters pole might well be disappointed, as they are almost non-existent, here.

Worlds' End concerns a group of travellers, taking shelter from a very strange storm at a pan-dimensional inn, who while away the hours telling stories, a la The Canterbury Tales, The Decameron, Hyperion, etc. While we *could* say that this is a tired cliche, or device, or any number of things that would be unfairly unflattering of Mr. Gaiman, I think, rather, that he's using this structure to make a point. In fact, *within* one of these stories, there is a character who gets into a group that starts telling stories to pass the time. The tale, itself, is a narration of a story being told. And, lest we forget, the whole comic is a story being told from Gaiman to us. Stories, within stories, within stories, within stories, within stories...

I think that, here, Gaiman wants to reflect in part on the role that stories play in our lives. Sandman, here, isn't Dream, but is the Master of Stories (which is pointed out in this volume).

And so, if you're comfortable with the fact that cutie Death will only put in a cameo or two, the question becomes: are these stories any good?

My answer--yes, they're good.

Another strong book in an amazing series. Five stars.

There is good wine poured in the inn at the end of the world........2006-01-23

_There is an inn at worlds' end. It is a place beyond space and time where all realms, all planes, intersect. Some travelers between the worlds come there willingly, but others find themselves driven there by reality storms- storms caused by events that disturb the very fabric of the cosmos itself. That is the case with the guests on this night. They find themselves trapped, and by immortal custom, obliged to pay for their keep with their best stories.

_The first of these stories is "A Tale of Two Cities." It deals with a man trapped in a dream city- or is it the dream of a sleeping city?

_The second story "Cluracan's Tale" tells of the mission of Cluracan, Ambassador of the Queen of Faery to the mortal world. It teaches why it is both unwise to attempt to combine temporal and spiritual power- and to offer disrespect to the Fair Folk.

_Tale three "Hob's Leviathan" is from the last days of working sail upon the high seas- and of those who walk among us who are not what they seem.

_The fourth "The Golden Boy" is the myth of Prez Rickard- born to be America's greatest president. His nemesis is "Boss Smiley" (interesting that this symbol of corruption and evil is based on the symbol of Wal-Mart....)

_Finally, there is the story "Cerements", of the great necropolis Litharge. This is a city whose entire reason for existance is to render respectful last rites to the dead. Even the Endless trust their cerements to the inhabitants of this city.

_And after all the tales are told the guests at the inn are granted a vision of the event that is powerful enough to create a storm to shake all their worlds....

Another fantastic Sandman book........2006-01-13

Neil Gaiman, Sandman: Worlds' End (DC Comics, 1999)

Worlds' End, the eighth book in the Sandman series, shows the increasing fragmentation of the main characters' stories, as we get another book that only tangentially has anything to do with the Endless. That said, the possible disintegration of the overarching story arc does nothing to diminish the quality of this fantastic series.

Brent and Charlene are driving through rural Illinois when a snowstorm blows up. This would not be strange, save that it's the middle of June. The car is wrecked, and the two of them eventually come to the Worlds' End Inn, a place between the worlds where travelers caught in out-of-the-ordinary storms come to rest and exchange stories until the storm ends. That's the frame, anyway; the actual book is stories within stories within stories. And while the stories themselves are fascinating glimpses into both new worlds and those we already know, what is most interesting about this book is its construction, the way in which we go levels deep into stories without ever getting confused as to where we are and how far down we've gone; everything works surprisingly well for this sort of narrative.

This probably shouldn't surprise me, given that Sandman has a well-deserved reputation for brilliance. This book is one of those that truly showcases it. ****

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